Are you looking for a time-saving way to request the replenishment of materials? No problem. The “Replenishment” function in the mobile warehouse management software for Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central and MS Dynamics NAV (Navision) helps you handle replenishment processes in the warehouse quickly, easily, and reliably. This is because mobile data collection makes it possible to conveniently request all required materials on the go and post them to your Microsoft Dynamics system in real time. All relevant information can be accessed on a mobile device, such as a handheld scanner, right there on the spot. This means you can see at a glance which storage bins are maintaining minimum and maximum stock levels and what the current replenishment requirements are for that storage bin.
The mobile data collection solution for Business Central and Microsoft Dynamics NAV (Navision) offers two ways to request replenishment in logistics. A distinction is made here between single-stage replenishment and two-stage replenishment.
If something is currently needed, replenishment can be requested directly from the mobile WMS for Navision/Business Central. In this case, the stock records are transferred from a replenishment storage bin to the target storage bin. To do this, scan the corresponding storage bin and request replenishment for the desired item in the desired quantity. The information about the corresponding item and the requested quantity is then recorded entirely automatically as a new line in the reclassification journal in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central or MS Dynamics NAV (Navision).
One especially practical feature is that all the information from the reclassification journal is subsequently made available to other warehouse personnel via the “Planned Relocation” module in the mobile WMS for MS Dynamics NAV/Business Central. This means that the updated information can always be accessed in real time in Navision or Business Central. At the same time, you can completely eliminate the tedious task of creating paper documents within mobile replenishment control in the WMS for Navision/Business Central.
Mobile posting of two-stage replenishment with the warehouse management system for NAV/Business Central is also quick and easy. With mobile replenishment control for Navision and Business Central, the goods to be transferred are first posted to a temporary storage space. A temporary storage space can be a load carrier, such as a container or bin.
Replenishment then takes place at the target storage bin, i.e., unloading of stock at the final storage location, via the mobile end device. When the transfer is posted, the reclassification journals are automatically populated and posted in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central or MS Dynamics NAV (Navision) in real time.
Smooth replenishment in logistics contributes significantly to efficient material flow control. To this end, stock from a reserve storage location or from reserve storage bins is used to replenish storage bins or withdrawal bins, e.g., in picking zones. For effective material flow control and efficient optimization of warehouse stock, replenishment in logistics is usually controlled via a warehouse management system (WMS).
Microsoft Dynamics NAV (Navision) and Business Central offer the option of maintaining minimum and maximum stock levels at storage bins within replenishment. In addition, hierarchies can be assigned regarding which storage bins are to be filled preferentially over others. For example, storage bins from which picking takes place must be replenished with a higher priority than storage bins in the replenishment area.
The Replenishment functions are not particularly pronounced—aside from the use of controlled logistics with automated stock transfer proposals in Microsoft Dynamics NAV and Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central. Generally speaking, employees report a shortfall of the minimum stock level or an empty storage bin to their supervisor. The supervisor then checks in Navision or Business Central whether the item is still available in another storage bin and initiates the transfer of stock to the empty storage bin via a reclassification journal. Alternatively, employees can take stock directly from another storage bin. In this case, the corresponding transfers or changes will be made retrospectively in MS Dynamics NAV or Business Central.
Apart from controlled logistics, Microsoft Dynamics NAV and Business Central do not offer the option of requesting replenishment at a location. This means that warehouse personnel must always keep an eye on stock levels or obtain the relevant information from the right colleague. If replenishment is requested, a reclassification journal must be prepared in Navision or Business Central and the transfer initiated by warehouse personnel. For this purpose, the reclassification journal in MS Dynamics NAV or Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is filled with the information about item and quantity as well as the storage location code and storage bin code, printed out and passed on to the employee. Once the stock has been physically transferred and this has been reported back by warehouse personnel, the relevant lines can then be posted in Microsoft Dynamics NAV or Business Central.
Unlike single-stage replenishment, two-stage replenishment in MS Dynamics NAV and Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is handled with an additional temporary storage space. In reality, warehouse personnel do not simply go out and collect as many items as possible to replenish the stock in a storage space, but rather use loading equipment such as a bin, pallet, or trolley to do so. Depending on the size of the warehouse and how much time is available between removing the stock from the withdrawal storage bin and putting it in the bin that needs to be replenished, it may be useful to also note this interim storage area—also referred to as a temporary storage space. This ensures 100% stock transparency within replenishment control in MS Dynamics.
Replenishment in MS Dynamics NAV and Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central does not support real-time feedback as to which storage bin goods were taken from. The time lag between physical replenishment and posting the stock replenishment in Navision or Business Central can, under certain circumstances, lead to incorrect stock levels and empty storage bins, as end-to-end stock transparency cannot be ensured.
Replenishment with the
L-mobile warehouse ready for MS Dynamics extension
Replenishment processes are handled on an entirely mobile basis
Mobile devices significantly speed up and simplify the replenishment process in logistics
Requirement notifications are recorded instantly on the go and reported back to MS Dynamics in real time
The “Replenishment” module in the mobile data collection solution for MS Dynamics can be flexibly extended with additional functions
Replenishment with the
MS Dynamics standard solution
Replenishment control is paper-based
Manual processes are time-consuming and result in a time lag between the movement of goods and posting
Information about stock requirements or items already withdrawn elsewhere must be entered manually in MS Dynamics afterwards
Microsoft’s replenishment function can be flexibly extended by partners/other solution providers
Find out more about the L-mobile warehouse ready for MS Dynamics mobile barcode scanner solution—for free and whenever you have the time!
There’s an easy way for you to get started with mobile data collection in your warehouse. The basic modules included in the starter kit map all process-related stock movements in a clear and mobile way. Along with goods receipt, stock transfer, and free location search, the basic modules in the starter kit also include picking and paperless inventory. And if that’s not enough, you can also expand your mobile data collection solution for NAV and Business Central flexibly with additional modules.
Traditional Kanban is a thing of the past—use RFID Kanban to automate replenishment in your logistics operations
In many medium-sized companies, replenishment is usually controlled using a Kanban system. This self-regulating system makes it possible to request the required material only when needed, thereby reducing excessive and expensive inventory levels. However, you can make your replenishment processes much simpler with an E-Kanban system. Electronic Kanban systems use various technologies and solutions to ensure that replenishment is requested automatically or semi-automatically. One especially practical feature is that the interface to your ERP system ensures that all material requirement notifications are sent in real time to your MS Dynamics 365 Business Central or Microsoft Dynamics NAV (Navision) system. This makes it possible to completely eliminate the disadvantages associated with manual Kanban processes, such as the time it takes to handle manual requirement notifications and the potential for errors.
